Let’s Hear It For The Royce
For nearly two months, we were robbed of the majesty that is Royce Lewis at the plate, after he strained his quad while running the bases. When he returned to the lineup earlier this month, he was still batting 1.000 and while it has come down a bit since then, Lewis has still been equally as impressive at the plate. After going 3-for-7 with 2 HRs, 3 RBI and 3 walks in the Twins doubleheader sweep of the Athletics, Lewis now has 6 HRs in the 39 at-bats since his return and has 5 walks to just 6 strikeouts. For reference, Lewis now has 7 HRs in 41 at-bats this season compared to Austin Riley’s 6 HRs in 219 at-bats in 2024. While he has a fairly small sample size in the Major Leagues, Lewis has firmly established himself as one of the top hitters in the game and has completely changed the trajectory of Minnesota’s season.
Let’s see how the other hitters did Sunday
Jordan Westburg (BAL): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI.
We have been waiting for regression for Jordan Westburg since he got off to his hot start for Baltimore and it looks like the wait may never end. He is now up to .278/.332/.504 with 11 HRs and 6 stolen bases and has turned into one of the best value draft picks of 2024.
Colton Cowser (BAL): 2-2, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 SB.
It has taken Colton Cowser a bit longer to establish himself than Westburg, but it looks like the former top prospect is starting to get it going. Cowser is up to 9 HRs and 5 stolen bases and is turning into a dangerous option at the bottom of the lineup.
Pete Alonso (NYM): 2-5, HR, 1 R, 5 RBI.
While the Mets don’t seem like they will be playing for much this season, there is still a lot on the line for Pete Alonso in 2024. Alonso’s 15 HRs are tied for 13th in baseball and if he can finish the season with the 43 HRs and 125 RBI he has averaged over the last two seasons, he can expect a big payday in the offseason.
Brandon Lowe (TB): 2-3, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB.
Injuries have plagued Rays 2B Brandon Lowe since his 39-HR season in 2021 and he has only made it into 30 games this season. Power hitting 2B will always have value in the MLB and Lowe still has plenty left in his bat. If he can stay on the field he can provide a big pickup to a struggling Rays lineup.
Austin Riley (ATL): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI.
Back on Austin Riley, who launched just his 6th HR in the 8th inning of Atlanta’s loss to Tampa Bay. It has been a brutal season for Riley so far with a .237/.307/.388 line. The good news is Riley historically turns it up in July and August (career 157 and 133 wRC+ respectively).
Daulton Varsho (TOR): 2-5, HR, 1 R, 4 RBI.
Varsho’s 5th inning Grand Slam proved to be just enough for the Blue Jays to hold on for a 7-6 win over the Guardians. Varsho is having a solid season with 11 HRs, 7 stolen bases and a career-high .457 slugging percentage and could approach his career-best 27 HRs and 16 stolen bases from 2022.
Daniel Schneemann (CLE): 3-4, HR, 3 R, 2 RBI.
Guardians rookie Daniel Schneeman had quite a Sunday, launching his first career HR off José Berríos. Never known as an elite prospect, Schneeman set a career-high with just 13 HRs in AAA last season. In just 223 AAA at-bats this season, Schneeman was already up to 10 HRs and seems to have tapped into something. I wouldn’t be rushing to the waiver wire to get him however with Jose Ramirez returning from the paternity list soon.
Jose Altuve (HOU): 2-3, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB.
Another Sunday, another write up for Jose Altuve. The 34-year-old’s 3-run HR off Kenta Maeda carried Houston to victory and he is up to .299/.350/.460 with 11 HRs and 10 stolen bases on the season.
Elly De La Cruz (CIN): 2-3, HR, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, SB.
The electric factory that is Elly De La Cruz keeps churning along with another HR and stolen base on the box score. He eclipsed his stolen base total from 2023 with his 36th on Sunday and he is now just one HR short of his rookie season with 12. Just sit back and enjoy the Elly Show.
Jorge Soler (SF): 2-4, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB.
The Giants exploded for a 9-run 4th inning, highlighted by Jorge Soler’s 8th HR of the season. Doesn’t seem like Soler is going to approach the 36 HRs he hit last season in Miami, but he is still a potent RHH power bat.
Christian Walker (ARI): 3-5, HR, 1 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI.
Christian Walker just continues to produce for the reigning NL Champs after he hit his 16th HR of the season. He is hitting .257/.337/.483 and there is even some room for improvement for Walker as his 26.2 K% is a bit higher than the 19.4% he has averaged the last two seasons.
Carlos Correa (MIN): 5-10, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI.
Not to be outdone by teammate Royce Lewis, Twins SS Carlos Correa went to town in game one of the doubleheader, blasting two HRs off A’s starter JP Sears and then adding another two hits in game two. Correa is having an excellent 2024 season with a .308/.370/.507 line and has formed a potent combo in the middle of the lineup with Lewis.
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X)